AIBU Cyclist Twats

[TractorAndHeadphones]

Walking down lovely canals with DP. Supposed to be romantic - but every 5 minutes we were interrupted by a cyclists whizzing along! Some had the courtesy to ring the bell but even so they rode straight at us instead of around us.

This really boils my piss because cyclists always complain that cars overtake dangerously and that’s it’s their god given right to hold up traffic. But cyclists can ride straight through pedestrians?

There was enough space for a cyclist to ride alongside us if they’d been slower ; even so you don’t expect people to walk in single file on canal roads which are meant to be enjoyed slowly! There were families in front of us, mothers with prams etc. Thé cyclists were probably scared of swerving into the lake but if you can’t control your bike then dont bloody ride!
It really ruined my day.

This has also happened on pavements with people whizzing along in the middle. Even if the road is dangerous there’s no need to go that fast.
AIBU to think that cyclists are twats and should be licensed?
People often complain that cars are rude to cyclists but IMO people in general are twats. Cars can do more damage but they’re not behaving worse than cyclists.

@lockdownmadnessdotcom

The best thing would be to get people onto public transport

But they don't want to use public transport, they want to get exercise and enjoy the outdoors.

But people have just been saying repeatedly on the thread that pedestrians are not allowed to enjoy the outdoors. They must walk single file and give way to cyclists. Also that cyclists are ‘slowed down on their commute’… hmm doesn’t look like enjoying the outdoors to me. More like they want to get from point A to B ASAP. Like the people in the cars that have also been derided.

But cycles don’t want to put up with slow pedestrians. It’s this that I find strange

or slower people on bikes. I know many many cycle paths are completely unfit for purpose, but there are good ones too and even then the MAMILs insist on using the roads and then say it's in case they meet a toddler on the segregated cycle path. They seem to miss the irony that they are holding up the cars but won't be held up themselves.

I agree that cyclists need to show the same consideration to pedestrians the expect to be shown by car drivers.

Many of them don't though.

I don’t think all cyclists are twats, no. But a lot of them are entitled. Their behaviour on public paths can be very rude. Again, not all of them. I hate to say it but the worst experiences I’ve had with cyclists (mostly on roads riding 3 abreast or purposefully swerving out into the road to make a point) are groups of men riding together. I’m always super careful though when I encounter cyclists riding badly; as I feel they’ve got a bit of a chip going on & if there’s ever a dispute it’s nearly always the car driver who seems to get the blame.

@ChardonnaysPetDragon

I agree that cyclists need to show the same consideration to pedestrians the expect to be shown by car drivers.

Many of them don't though.

Exactly. And then they complain that cars drive dangerously when they exhibit the exact same behaviour. A good driver like a good cyclist understands consideration. People who complain about cars but in the same vein complain about pedestrians or other obstacles baffle me.

Cyclists don’t need to show any consideration to pedestrians when they are on cycle paths. Cyclists and pedestrians need to show equal consideration on shared paths, and that means not taking up more than half of the path. Cycle paths were put in for a reason, and that is to help people cycle from A to B.

@ChardonnaysPetDragon

I agree that cyclists need to show the same consideration to pedestrians the expect to be shown by car drivers.

Many of them don't though.

Either you're respectful and mannered or you're not, regardless of your mode of transport.

I walk and cycle. When I walk I give space to cyclists, when I cycle I try and get out the way as much as I can for cars, or slow down when approaching pedestrians etc.

Part of the problem is a lot of people just lack awareness of their surroundings. Walking slowly down a narrow pavement and not expecting that people are going to want to get past.

Some time lists are tests like any other groups of people. No one should take precedence on a canal, it is open to all

We need signs saying rules, like reminding people, cyclists, walkers, dog walkers etc how to be kind and behave on the shared routes

Walkers who think they own the road, and are either startled as you approach them because they are so engrossed in their conversation, they miss all signals that you are getting close

Those walkers! How DARE they walk along having a chat! Oh no! They should always at all times be vigilant for lycra-clad hurtling along at speed as if they own the path!

@User135644 your viewpoint is consistent - perfectly acceptable.
However a lot of people on this thread think that cyclists should not be made to ‘get out of the way of cars’.
But think that pedestrians should ‘get out of the way of cyclists’.

I walk and cycle. When I walk I give space to cyclists, when I cycle I try and get out the way as much as I can for cars, or slow down when approaching pedestrians etc.

I'm sure you do, and that's great, but that doesn't mean that every cyclist does so as well.

Many cyclists ignore the pedestrian priority signs and generally treat walkers as nuisance.

And yes, if as a pedestrian I am expected to make way for cyclists, then why are cyclists not expected to make way for cars?

They can't have it every which way.

Lycra wearing cyclists tend to have more road sense, are safer to be on the roads and are also faster than people who wear normal clothes cycling
Excuse me while I die laughing.
That's a ridiculous as my brother's claim that lycra-cyclists will save us when whatever immigrant group is unpopular that week is trying to take over the world - lycra-cyclists in training, you know, for the fight-back.

I don't think there's anyone who thinks they're more entitled than a male cyclist.

This is what the canal river trust say:
You don't need a permit to cycle on our towpaths. We simply ask that you cycle with great care for pedestrians, wildlife and the fabric of our waterways to ensure that everyone can enjoy them to their full potential.

Unfortunately they didn't factor in the self obsessed and obsessive nature that cycling seems to inspire - especially in men - who think their cycling is the most important thing in the world and everyone else should get out the way.

[quote TractorAndHeadphones]@User135644 your viewpoint is consistent - perfectly acceptable.
However a lot of people on this thread think that cyclists should not be made to ‘get out of the way of cars’.
But think that pedestrians should ‘get out of the way of cyclists’.[/quote]
I don't understand that mentality myself. As someone who cycles I know it gets frustrating to keep slowing down and stop/start on a bike is quite awkward to do, but it's just part of cycling in shared spaces (or on the road for that matter).

Personality is another factor. I'd feel mortified holding up traffic, whereas some cyclists don't care.

Ok so the difference is on a road a car has another lane it can overtake a cyclist on a path thus is not possible you say there was space to pass if they slowed down however they are at more risk of hitting you trying to pass you at a slower pace 1 rock on the wrong place and knack a front wheel and cause them to swerve into you or canal other option is they ride up your arse your whole walk because your walk is more important then whatever they are riding for but yes all cyclists are twats not the ppl taking up over half a narrow pathway

I'd feel mortified holding up traffic, whereas some cyclists don't care.

I strongly suspect some of them are actually enjoying it.

@ChardonnaysPetDragon

I walk and cycle. When I walk I give space to cyclists, when I cycle I try and get out the way as much as I can for cars, or slow down when approaching pedestrians etc.

I'm sure you do, and that's great, but that doesn't mean that every cyclist does so as well.

Many cyclists ignore the pedestrian priority signs and generally treat walkers as nuisance.

I generally cycle for work or exercise and walk for leisure/pleasure, therefore as a keen walker i'm well aware how cyclists can be. I can't really walk anywhere without having to be alert at all times.

Cyclists are a general nuisance for pedestrians and cars (which i'm aware of when i'm on a bike) and then pedestrians and cars are a nuisance for cyclists.

The whole shared space thing is not ideal but is what it is. We aren't in Copenhagen.

There is this wonderful invention called punctuation, Dddccc.

It might help so your post makes more sense. Then again, it might not.

@RunningStrong

People always lump "cyclists" together.

The people riding down a canal tow path are not the same people you see on the road. Road cyclists wouldn't want that kind of a ride.

I don't recall ever seeing a 'canal cyclist' carrying their bike to the canal, or a 'road cyclist' carrying their bike along a tow path.

@Dddccc

Ok so the difference is on a road a car has another lane it can overtake a cyclist on a path thus is not possible you say there was space to pass if they slowed down however they are at more risk of hitting you trying to pass you at a slower pace 1 rock on the wrong place and knack a front wheel and cause them to swerve into you or canal other option is they ride up your arse your whole walk because your walk is more important then whatever they are riding for but yes all cyclists are twats not the ppl taking up over half a narrow pathway

You can’t overtake on all roads - if there’s oncoming traffic or if it’s too narrow. In which case you’d have to wait patiently behind. If a cyclist can’t overtake then they’d have to wait patiently behind as well.

I don't recall ever seeing a 'canal cyclist' carrying their bike to the canal,
or a 'road cyclist' carrying their bike along a tow path. confused
Have you seen those things that people have on the back of cars to carry bikes ?

@lockdownmadnessdotcom

But cycles don’t want to put up with slow pedestrians. It’s this that I find strange

or slower people on bikes. I know many many cycle paths are completely unfit for purpose, but there are good ones too and even then the MAMILs insist on using the roads and then say it's in case they meet a toddler on the segregated cycle path. They seem to miss the irony that they are holding up the cars but won't be held up themselves.

Cycle paths are generally full of shit, glass, thorns, overgrown hedges half blocking the path. I used one yesterday and wish I hadn't bothered. Next time I go that way I won't use it.

At least she was on a bike and not in a car!
Oh that's all right then

@lockdownmadnessdotcom

Funny MUmsnetters are normally so “right on” about not being judgemental, not slagging people off for their personal appearance, etc but as soon as there’s a cyclist thread there’s comments about how they look stupid in Lycra, mamils, too fat to wear Lycra, etc. It’s not original, mature or nice

It's a fair point though that people in the UK feel the need to dress up (or down, depending on your view!) to cycle. In the Netherlands or Denmark they just jump on their bikes in anything and away they go. I don't think you need lycra, you just need padding for your bottom if you are doing a longer ride.

How do you get padding without lycra cycling shorts or tights? The padded saddle covers don't work, you need the padding against your skin or you get blisters. No seams, no knickers. Maybe people in Holland don't cycle as far generally . The Dutch pro cyclists wear lycra as do other Dutch cyclists when I've been cycling in Holland. Yes, there's people in normal clothes pottering about short dustances as there is in the UK. But I've certainly seen Dutch roadies in lycra.

I guess I could wear a normal t-shirt but I sweat and that makes cotton damp and uncomfy and risks me getting cold. So I wear lycra.

The same as if I do a gym class I wear a lycra top. Like everybody else in the gym class. I don't see people in cotton tshirts in the gym. But we don't sneer at people in the gym for wearing lycra. Fucking7twat show offs, why can't they wear normal clothes? Some people in the gym are fat as we. How dare they.